Ski Patrol and Level 1 Instructor Course

Course Type Ski Patrol | Career Break
Dates 16th Jan-1st April
Price From £9450
Venue Canada - Sun Peaks
Qualifications CASI/CSIA Level 1 Instructor Certification | NUEC L3
Add Flights? Add flights for £550 | Heli for £630

About the Trip

This 11-week program trains you not only as an instructor but also as a Patrol mountain rescuer. Combining our Ski Patrol Course with a CSIA skiing or CASI snowboarding Level 1 instructor course makes you doubly employable. Not only will you improve your ability, but you’ll have real back-country experience, making you a valuable asset to every ski and snowboard school in the world.

Features

Level 1 CSIA/CASI instructor and 8-week patrol training.

Accommodation and meal package for 11 weeks

NUEC Level 3 certification – 110 hr advanced outdoor first aid

Avalanche safety certification

Advanced Protocol training and Certification

Rope Rescue and Patient extraction

All specialist Equipment Provided

Benefits

Qualified to work anywhere in the world

Guaranteed job interviews for the top achievers

Safety skills to progress into the back-country

Improved risk management awareness

One-to-one mentoring with the Mountain Ops Team

Gateway to vocational employment options

Strong first aid skills to apply to any industry

Click to see what the fuss is about!
Accommodation
About the location
Meal Plan
Testimonials

Hearthstone Lodge

Located in the heart of Sun Peaks Resort, the Hearthstone Lodge is the perfect base for an 11 week ski and Patrol course. Forgot your goggles or want to head back for Lunch? The Hearthstone is ski-in/ski-out and only a short walk from all the shops, restaurants and ski lifts. Based on the alpine style with spacious rooms, it has everything you need to make it a home-from-home.

The studios and 1-bedrooms suites are well set up for both short and long stays. All feature a kitchenette, gas fireplace, dining area and free wireless internet. The dining room table seats four people, and there’s a flat-screen TV and comfy sofa for relaxing when the room is set up for single or double occupancy. Rooms are set out in blocks, so you’ll be next to all your fellow instructor mates.

Facilities: Ski-in, Ski-out | Outdoor Hot Tubs | Gym 24 Hour | Reception| Lockable Ski Storage | Wifi | Fireplace | Kitchen | Ensuite

Sun Peaks

The resort of Sunpeaks is huge! Nestled in the valley between 3 mountains spanning over 4200ac of awesome terrain, Sun Peaks Resort boasts the second largest skiable area in Canada. Offering some of the best conditions that BC offers and officially the sunniest resort, it’s no surprise that people flock from around the world to see what the fuss is about.

With perfectly groomed slopes, powder bowls, park and backcountry options to suit all styles and abilities but without the crowds. Maybe that’s why the Interski trials are held here.

Back it up with enough hotels, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and amenities to make it the 2nd most extensive resort in Canada, and you’ve got a world-class venue to keep the most discerning characters grinning from ear to ear. Prepare to be astounded.

If it’s one thing, we want you to do. It’s to stay fuelled up.

Four breakfasts and dinners per week are included with your course, meaning you’ve got time to relax and concentrate on what’s important. But the best bit. We don’t use just one restaurant; we use 5. With pretty much the pick of the menu, it gives you enough variety every week to not get bored and ensures you’re getting what you need.

Special nights are arranged during the course when everyone can get together for something a little different. Mexican Margherita night anyone?

As great as it is being catered for, there’s plenty of time to cook for yourself back in your studio. We get it. Sometimes it’s nice to relax, order a pizza, make a bowl of pasta, and catch up on Netflix. Regardless of your culinary skills, there are plenty more places to eat in Sunpeaks village. Whether you’re a vegetarian*, meat fiend, spice lover, or want something simple, there’s something for everyone.

*Please say if you have dietary requirements as we can advise what is possible, or even suggest self-catering if that works better for you.

Just got back from spending most of the season in Sun Peaks and Panorama with the WSC. What an incredible experience. Rik, Emma and Rob were brilliant. They were unfailingly helpful and eager to help make the experience the best it could be. Always available when things didn’t go right to put them right. This season presented massive challenges to the industry due to Covid, resort staffing shortages and supply issues. I was constantly amazed how WSC team were constantly thrown curve balls, that they took in their stride, making sure everyone got the courses and experience necessary to become instructors or ski patrollers and have great time while doing it. The ski patrol course in particular is a very special opportunity that is hard to beat. If you are serious about becoming a patroller this is the real deal.

Roger Gibbon – Level 2 and Patrol – Sun Peaks/Panorama

Training Package

Level 1 Training
4 days a week, provided by CSIA level 3 & 4 instructors. Level 1 course conductors mentor the programme, take training and provide tailored feedback as you prepare for the level 1 exam.

CSIA/CASI Level 1 ski instructor exam
The level 1 course exam is included in the price.

CSIA/CASI Membership & Instructor Licence.
As part of your course we enrol you with the CSIA. Membership for the year is included and you will be provided with a login to the CSIA website where you can sign up for the level 2 exam. Upon completion of level 1 you will be a licenced instructor.

Shadow Teaching
All participants have the opportunity to shadow the sports school on days off from pro-coaching. Shadowing real lessons helps prepare trainees for exams and provides observational experience in a mountain environment.

Ski Patrol Training Programme
Up to 40 hrs per week training covering 13 modules. A full breakdown of module content can be found on our ski patrol qualifications page.

  • Module 1: CPR – BLS for Healthcare Professionals
  • Module 2: Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3
  • Module 3: Advanced Protocol Training
  • Module 4: Rope Rescue
  • Module 5: Aerial Lift Evacuation & Self Evacuation
  • Module 6: Patient Extrication & Evacuation
  • Module 7: Avalanche Skills Training, Level 1
  • Module 8: Risk Management
  • Module 9: Incident Investigation
  • Module 10: General Patrolling
  • Module 11: Helicopter Orientation, Air Evacuation, Air Rescue
  • Module 12: GPS & Compass Orientation
  • Module 13: Mentoring

Specialist Equipment
All specialist equipment required for training is provided as part of the course.
You will receive a pack with all the essential equipment required to work with ski patrol. Items include Avalanche safety gear: probe, shovel, transceiver, first aid supplies and medical equipment. Backpacks are on loan and must be returned in good condition. They can be purchased at the end of the course in resort if requested.

 

 

Additional Training Options
Participants can opt to take the CSIA or CASI level 2 instructor exam following the ski patrol training. Level 2 modules and assessments can be booked directly with CSIA or CASI by the participant upon completion of the level 1 and cost circa $960.

Visa Assistance & Guaranteed Work Interview

We have partnerships and connections with several sports schools across the world and offer a guaranteed interview with Panorama for the following season after the successful completion of your Level 2. We also provide two further guaranteed interviews at resorts in both Canada and Japan. Comprehensive advice and assistance is given to all Winter Sports clients when applying for working holiday visas.

Snow Ready Fitness Plan

Created for Winter Sports by a personal trainer & instructor, this 8 week pre-season fitness programme targets the muscle groups used in skiing & snowboarding and will make sure you are snow-fit in time for the start of your course.

 

 

Weekly Schedule

The Level 1 instructor ticket is based on a 4-day week with an extra day for shadowing. Ski Patrol training is provided five days a week, typically Monday-Friday. Days off and weekends can be spent shadowing ski school & free skiing.

Week One

Settling in, exploring and introduction to being a ski or snowboard instructor

Week Two

CSIA/CASI Standards – improvement and technique – including video analysis.

Week Three

Continued improvement & CSIA/CASI Level 1 exam

Week Four

Small break then introduction to general ski patrolling. Rope Rescue and Avalanche Skills Training Level 1.

Week Five

Aerial lift evacuation & self evacuation, introctution to GPS & Compass, Risk Management and Incident Investigation.

Week Six - Eight

Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3. 110 hrs first aid course. Both classroom and outdoor teaching and situations.

Week Nine

Advanced Protocol, Patient Extrication Evacuation, Heli-Orientation & Air Evacuation tactics.

Week Ten - Eleven

On-mountain mentoring with Panorama or Sun Peaks Ski Patrol. Companion Rescue module available and L2 instructor modules and exams.

"Snowboard Level 1 and Patrol"

Craig Geary - Sept 2020
"The Winter Sports Company has been brilliant, always helpful and quick to answer any questions or problems I might have. Training alongside an actual ski-patrol team was unbelievable and a brilliant way to get hands on and involved in the day to day life as a ski-patroller. Being able to do the course on a snowboard made it so much easier for me personally and there were many advantages to it, as well as disadvantages which only added to the challenge! The whole experience has been the best of my life, I would highly recommend anyone to just bite the bullet and go and do it, you won't regret it. You only regret the things you didn't do!"

Bolt on courses

The Bolt-ons are the point where you can turn your already stellar winter season into something truly unforgettable. Whilst some are devised to improve your CV, some enhance your smile. The Heliski experience will have you grinning from ear to way all the way back home through your front door. So decide what is critical for you, an adrenaline ride?  A gap year? Career-breaking-mid-life crisis-soothing adventure? Or something that will put another few dollars on your wages and make your instructor resume stand out?

These are ancillary offerings to our clients once onboarded. It is a simple, transparent method so you can cherry-pick what you want and, more importantly, not be forced into paying over the odds for something you do not want.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2

Following on from the AST level 1, the level 2 course builds on the foundation knowledge of avalanche awareness.

CASI Park Level 1

Candidates on the course will spend time exploring snowboarding techniques and teaching methods as they relate to introductory terrain park and freestyle snowboarding.

End of Season Race Event

Participants will be able to test their skills and stamina to pick that race-winning line and win the coveted Winter Sports Co Trophy, amongst other prizes. End of March

ACA-CSC Entry Level Race Coach

Entry Level certification enables the holder to be hired by a club or ski school to start coaching in an entry-level ski racing program.

Introduction to Back Country Touring

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of safe backcountry travel, including terrain assessment, hazard analysis, companion rescue as well as equipment familiarisation and techniques.

Revelstoke Steep & Deep

Make the Pilgrimage, learn to ski deep on the most vertical mountain resort in North America, with over 1,700 metres of elevation, filled with pure heaven to enjoy. A genuine bucket list item

Heli-Ski/Board (1 day experience)

Landing on top of the world in a deserted, pristine snowfield with endless untouched slopes will, without a doubt, be one of the best feelings you will ever experience. This is done within the Revelstoke 3-4 day Experience.

Nordic Skiing

The silence of the wilderness and the almost spiritual experience of gliding through a winter world leaving nothing but tracks in the snow is an irresistible combination.

Paragliding

This amazing experience combines the air and the snow, an original and extremely fun experience – with both a wing and skis you can carve down the slopes and then take to the air. Available at Revelstoke & Panorama.

Ski-Mobile

Enhance your CV and give the resort director another reason to hire you. Gain your BCSF smart sledding course certificate and use it for future employment.

Ski & Board Tech Tips

This course covers routine tuning, maintenance, fitting and essential repair work. Learn how to get the most out of your equipment.

Ice Hockey Night

Watch the Kamloops Blazers in action. Great night out.

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is a real experience- there is quite simply nothing like the sensation of being in control of your dogsled and husky team, putting your trust in your dogs and earning their friendship in return.

Day Out at Harper Mountain

This includes a day on the mountain with tubing in the morning, lunch and an afternoon of skiing & riding in a new environment.

Off-Piste & Powder training

It offers a blend of coaching geared towards boosting your technique in deep snow, giving you the ability to charge through powder with confidence.

Tree Wells & All Mountain Safety

Trip to Silverstar

Trip to Silverstar resort. Enjoy the laid-back mountain, have a change of scenery and see what all the buzz is about.

What is included

Transfers

Outbound and return transfers are included from Kamloops Airport as standard with all bookings with Flights, and subject to arrival times if booking own flights.

Accomodation

Price is based on 3 sharing.
Price for Twin Share £9525
We can accommodate couples and friendship groups upon request. A limited number of single rooms are available for an additional £300 per week.

Meal Plan

A buffet breakfast with hot & cold options is served Monday – Thursday.
Evening meals are served 4 nights per week across 5 restaurants in resort. We work closely with restaurants to ensure a varied and well-balanced diet is available. Dietary requirements are accomodated.
The meal plan include gratuities – so you don’t need to budget for tips on meals included in your package.

Season Lift Pass

Your lift pass is season long, this means if you decide to add additional weeks your lift pass will be valid.
Lift pass benefits include discounts in selected shops and restaurants as well as on some activities, equipment rentals, maintenance and repairs.

Resort Representative

A rep is in the resort to oversee the course. Reps are knowledgeable about the resort, qualifications and training, and have often taken part in the course previously.

Training Package

Includes 20 hours of training per week when preparing for your Level 1 instructor ticket, and up to 40hrs per week when training as a Patroller.

CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor Exam

CSIA Level 1 is the first big step to becoming a ski instructor. The qualification is split into three main components; your teaching of skiing, your own technical skiing and your people skills. The exam is three days long and you are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

CSIA Membership

Regular Members enjoy a wide-variety of Member Benefits including Pro Deals, General Liability Insurance and Accident, Death and Disability coverage.

Specialist Equipment

All specialist equipment required for Ski patrolling is provided on loan.

Not Included

FLIGHTS (add flights for an extra £450)
MEALS (lunches and Weekends)
INSURANCE
ANCILLARY BOLT ON COURSES
EQUIPMENT OR RENTAL

Book Your Course Today

11 weeks not enough? Tailor the course to your travel – contact us for a quote to add a week or two to the beginning or end of your course. Additional weeks vary depending on availability.

Hold My Place

Dates & Prices

Course Dates Accommodation Triple Double Single Flights

Ski Patrol + Lvl 1

16th Jan to 1st April

Hearthstone Lodge

£9450

+£350 a week

+£550

Ski Patrol + Lvl 1 & 2

29th Nov to 1st April

Hearthstone Lodge

£13440

£14350

+£350 a week

+£550

FAQ

Find out all of the most frequently asked questions